The Truth About Being Blessed
Do you feel blessed? Do you believe God has blessed your life?
The words “blessings” and “blessed” are used a lot among Christians. But what do we really mean when we say we’re blessed? Some people just mean they’ve been lucky. Others believe God has divinely touched their lives.
Throughout our faith journeys, blessings are often seen as signs of God’s favor and love.
However, the Bible (and our own experiences) provide many examples of a profound truth. Blessings, when not handled with a humble and thankful heart, can lead individuals and even entire nations away from God’s will.
A good place to start exploring this is the Old Testament.
The Israelites: From Slavery to the Promised Land
The journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land is a powerful story of God’s deliverance and blessings.
God heard their cries and sent Moses to lead them out of bondage (Exodus 3:7-10). The parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, and water from a rock are just a few miracles that demonstrated God’s provision and care (Exodus 14:21-22; 16:4; 17:6).
Despite these blessings, the Israelites often strayed from God’s will.
One significant instance of their straying was in idolatry with the golden calf at Mount Sinai (Exodus 32).
While Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments, the people grew impatient and fashioned a calf out of gold to worship. God had abundantly blessed them, but their impatience and lack of faith led them to sin.
Later, when they finally reached the Promised Land, the blessings continued, but so did their disobedience. The book of Judges repeatedly states, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25, ESV).
Despite the blessings of land and prosperity, the people of Israel fell over and over again into cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.
King Solomon: Wisdom and Wealth Turned to Idolatry
King David’s son Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building the magnificent temple of God, is another example of how blessings can lead to straying from God’s will.
Solomon’s early reign was marked by profound wisdom and a deep relationship with God. When asked by God what he desired, Solomon chose wisdom to govern his people wisely, and God granted him unparalleled wisdom, along with riches and honor (1 Kings 3:5-14, ESV).
However, as Solomon’s wealth and power grew, his heart turned away from God. His blessings brought him fame and attention. Rather than remaining faithful, Solomon married many foreign women who led him into idolatry.
The Bible records, “When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God” (1 Kings 11:4, NIV).
Despite God’s blessings of wisdom and wealth, Solomon’s disobedience brought about the division of the kingdom after his death. And centuries of suffering for his people.
The New Testament: Warnings and Examples
The New Testament continues to warn against the dangers of letting blessings lead us away from God.
Jesus Himself cautioned about the deceitfulness of riches in the Parable of the Sower. He said, “The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22, NIV).
Jesus’ encounter with The rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 is another poignant example.
The man approached Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all he had and give to the poor, but the young man went away sorrowful because he had great wealth.
His material blessings became a stumbling block to fully following Jesus.
Even the early church faced challenges. In the book of Acts, Ananias and Sapphira sought to deceive the apostles about the proceeds from a land sale, seeking honor and status within the community while lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11).
Their story is a stark reminder of how the desire for recognition and material gain can corrupt even inside the church.
Remaining Steadfast in God’s Will
To avoid the pitfalls that come with blessings, it is essential to remain faithful and obedient to God’s will.
Here are some ways to help keep our focus on God and not on our own lives:
Maintain Humility and Gratitude: Recognize that all blessings come from God and are not a result of our own efforts. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights”.
Stay Rooted in God’s Word: Regular reading and meditation on the Bible can help keep our focus on God’s will. The writer of Psalm 119:105 proclaims, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.
Prayer and Dependence on God: Consistent prayer life keeps us connected to God, reminding us of our dependence on Him. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring everything to God in prayer, which brings peace that guards our hearts and minds.
Accountability and Community: Being part of a faith community provides support and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds and not to forsake assembling together.
Guard Against Idolatry: Idolatry isn’t just about worshiping physical idols but can be anything that takes God’s place in our hearts. As 1 John 5:21 warns, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols”.
Blessings can be a beautiful expression of God’s love and favor, but they come with the responsibility to remain obedient to Him.
Prosperity can lead to complacency, pride, and idolatry if we are not vigilant. By maintaining humility, staying rooted in God’s Word, being prayerful, engaging in community, and guarding against idolatry, we can enjoy God’s blessings without straying from His will.
Let’s strive to use our blessings to glorify God and advance His kingdom, always remembering that He is the source of all good things.
May God continuously lead your path.